But sometimes you still want to clean up your theme’s structured data. Either because it’ll be easier to understand, or to remove extra reports in Google’s Search Console, or maybe because Google Merchant Center is complaining about your theme’s microdata.

Whatever the reason, sometimes it makes sense to edit your theme and remove all of its structured data.

You will need a bit of experience with HTML so you might need to ask someone or hire someone to help if you’re unsure.

There are two types of structured data that a Shopify theme can use. The older style if called microdata and it’s structured data that’s mixed in with HTML code. The second style is more modern and is called JSON-LD.

JSON-LD is the same format that I use in my app and is Google’s recommended format, but if your theme is missing parts of its data then you still might want to remove it and replace it with my app.

Step 1. Backup

First, you’ll want to take a backup copy of your theme. Just in case.

Step 2. Find all of the microdata

Second, search through your theme for the theme’s microdata structured data. There are a few keywords you can use for this.

itemtype – the type of data

itemprop – the values of a piece of data

itemscope

All of these combined make up your microdata.

Step 3. Remove each piece of microdata

As you find each piece of microdata you’ll want to remove it.

Some will be attached to HTML components you want to keep, like your price display and product name. Others will be hidden elements like meta or span tags. This is where HTML expertise will help.

As you’re editing your theme you’ll want to refresh the pages in your store to make sure they still look correct.

Step 4. Find all of the JSON-LD data

Now you’ll repeat that process but for the JSON-LD formatted data. Search through your theme for ld+json (yes, it’s listed backwards but that’s how JSON-LD data is defined).

Step 5. Remove each piece of JSON-LD data

If you find some JSON-LD data, there’s be a script tag that encloses each piece. You’ll want to remove the script tags and the content inside them. For example, if you found this piece that describes a product you’d remove all of it.

If you are using JSON-LD for SEO you do not want to remove its structured data code. It’s all located inside of snippets/jsonld-for-seo.liquid. If you did on accident, you can re-install that code easily from the app configuration area.

Similarly, if you’re using another app for your JSON-LD data you would not want to remove it either unless you uninstall the app or the app’s data is causing problems (e.g. with Merchant Center).

Step 6. Check and test your data

After you’ve removed the structured data, make sure to check your Shopify store. You want to make sure the pages still look and function correctly.